March 28, 2024

Clarke County Museum in need of funds, volunteers

The Clarke County Historical Society is looking for helping hands. The Clarke County Museum that sits south of Osceola on Highway 69 needs maintenance in the form of regular cleaning and organization.

Volunteers should come to the monthly meetings. They can get involved by utilizing the research room at the museum to learn more about Clarke County history and sitting at the museum when it is open on Sundays or by appointment May through September.

Volunteers could assist in moving items from the main museum building into an annex building to make room for newly acquired articles to be displayed ― such as the pair of 100-year-old church pews that are roughly 12-15 feet in length, which were recently donated to the museum.

“When they got an item in it was given a number in a book and then it was made into a little index/recipe card for that article and who made it and things like that,” said Marie White of the Clarke County Historical Society. “Some things haven’t been kept up to date so we need help with things like that. There are so many things and possibilities that are beyond my head as to what’s to do.”

The historical society has monthly meetings though they are flexible with dates. The next meeting is 7 p.m. April 20 at the Masonic Lodge.

Funding is another concern for the historical society. The museum, which has been in existence for nearly 50 years, is run on trusts. In the beginning when there were nearly 400 members in the historical society they sold lifetime memberships for $25 a piece. Private donations and those from members have always helped to fund the facility. As people have passed away they sometimes would bequeath funds to the Clarke County Historical Society or the museum specifically. At one time they could operate on the interest generated alone.

“Now we just operate and do expenses. There’s not any left for anything extra, any maintenance or any of the fun things we might want to do,” said White. “The funding is getting real low.”

To volunteer or become a member contact White at 641-342-4838 or Mike Boldon at 641-342-2538.

Tyra Audlehelm

Tyra Audlehelm

I grew up in Osceola and live here still with my husband and son. I graduated with my Bachelor degree in Journalism and Mass Communications in 2017. I have work at the OST since January of 2018.